Stand Strong Against Hurtful Words

Most Read

I'm really overweight, and the people at school call me "The Chubanator."
It really hurts my feelings, and all I want is advice on how to overcome the
sad feelings I have.

— Cindy

Dear Cindy,

That's
a horrible nickname, and I'm sorry you've had to go through hearing that. I can
totally understand how it makes you sad — it would hurt anyone's feelings to be
teased like that.

Here's
what you can do about it: try and not let it take up too much of your
headspace. The more time and energy you give to people who don't deserve it,
the less you have for those who do. So try to switch your thinking every time
you are tempted to go down that path of sadness: Remind yourself with one
little phrase, like "I'm stronger than this," that you are indeed
better than those who poke fun at you. If you feel that this torment is getting
in the way of your focus on school and friends then you need to go and tell an
adult about it. If you want to try and handle it on your own and talk about it
with the people who do this, you can but try and bring a friend with you for
support. In the end you need to speak up so that they understand they can't
destroy another person with their words. Stand tall, Cindy!